My wife was rearend by a care doing 45 to 50 MPH (Police estimate). The impact bent the frame rails. The bed was driven into the cap, and rear end knocked out of square. The insurance company wants to get off cheap by pulling the frame out. The bottom of the frame is over 50% closer to the top of the frame. My question is has anyone had this done? The only good news is the truck performed as it should have, my two little girls were not injured, while my wife recieved bruses and whiplash, we beleive only because she saw it coming. My opinion is the value of the truck will be destroyed if they put the $8000 dollars into repair it, not to mention what mechanical damage my show up a few hundred miles down the road due to the force of the impact.

 

the truck should just be considered a total loss and you should get market value for it. that kind of damage always leads to other issues down the road.

 

new trucks are high strength steel in the frame. thinner, lighter, and stronger. i dont think straighteneing it is a good idea with the extent of damage you have. if it flexed or bowed a little and was to be pulled back into position that would be diffeerent.

 

I had the same thing happen to me on Friday, I was hit by a e-350 cargo van doing about 45-50 too. Truck held up well and I'm glad I wasn't in any thing smaller. I have extensive frame damage also. Insurance company estimates damages at $8,000. Was a total at first, then progressive decided they wanted to take it to their shop to look at closer. They decided to repair instead of total out my truck. To repair they are going to pull everything and put a new frame under it. (If anyone has had similar experence, I would like to know if they are going to pull front end, transfer case, Etc. and install on the new frame.)

I have heard that trying to repair the new steel frames are not an option as stated in a prior post. Push for the new frame or total out the truck.

Did the shoulder belt hold for your wife? Mine did not and air bags didn't deploy when I hit the car in front of me. I had to see the dentist after eating on the steering wheel.

 

After discussing the issue with several structural PEs in my office, I went back and told the issurance company I wanted the rails replaced, they decided it was better for them to total out the truck. The belts held, but the airbags didn't deploy. I think there may be an issue with Fords air bags, as my younger brother fell a sleep at the wheel (Don't get me started on him) and hit a rock wall head on totaled the truck out and no air bag deployment. I've been told if the sensor is not broken in the front upon impact the air bags will not deploy. Thanks for all the replies...

 

I wish mine would have been totaled out too. But I have really taken care of the truck and know what it was. As long as i don't have too many issues down the road I will probally keep it. New frame should make it drive right as long as it's put back together correctly. I plan on taking it to my dealer and have it inspected by the techs there.

Good luck on getting a fair price for yours. Do your home work so you know what it's going to cost to replace. I found it was going to take 18K to 19K to replace mine in the Atlanta area.

 

supercrewz- I spoke with a Ford dealer about new frame rails, which is when I was told about 15k worth of damage. They also warned me about possible transfer case, transmission, and oil pick tube issues as a result of the collision, which may not show up for several months down the road. The interior and exterior of our truck looked brand new, so what a shame to see it go! The insurance has offered 18.5K plus the cost of the new tires and window tint so we'll be a little of 19k. On the issue of the airbags, Ford told me the trucks computer looks at speed, angle of collision, weight of person in the seat, seat belts, if brakes are applied prior to deployment of the airbags.

 

I got my truck back on Friday with the new frame. Took it straight to the dealer for a complete look over. They only found a few very small issues, but overall they stated a good job was done. I drove it over 250 miles this weekend with no issues so far. I hope I don't have the issues you indicated above.

 

If the Ford dealer was good with it, then I would say the shop must have done a good job. That is since body shops get 98% of their business from insurance companies they know who is paying the bills. We took the money and bought her a new Expedition. So now we have and 87 F-150 and 05. No matter how you stack them, Ford makes some great trucks!